News
Ranil claims some TNA MPs “voted for me”
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has claimed to be aware that some TNA MPs voted for him at the July 20 parliamentary vote for president.TNA sources said President Wickeremesinghe said so at his first meeting at his office with the party as a single group.A senior TNA MP said that with the voting secret, the truth may never be known, but the president claimed to know that at least some TNA MPs backed him.
“He said: ’I know some of you voted for me’. It was his first meeting with Tamil MPs. The President raised the issue of the vote last month,” the MP said pointing out the voting was secret.
He said that a day ahead the vote in parliament, the TNA announced it would back Dullas Alahapperuma. “The decision to back Alahapperuma caused controversy both within the TNA and throughout the North-East. After the vote there were rumours that several MPs of the TNA broke ranks and voted for Wickremesinghe instead,” the MP said.
The TNA sources said that at the meeting the MPs put forward several requests which are similar to the party’s conditions including the release of Tamil political prisoners, halting the military occupation of private land, the immediate repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the implementation of UN Human Rights Council resolutions on accountability.
In a startling turn of events, a Development Officer, serving at the Central Provincial Council, has reportedly submitted a bid of approximately Rs. 48 mn for a Land Cruiser V8 vehicle belonging to the Council, which was recently put up for auction.
The revelation that a serving government officer submitted a massive bid for such a tender—an act generally prohibited under public service regulations—has reportedly caused significant unrest within the Tender Board.
Although a month has passed since the Central Provincial Council conducted the auction for these luxury vehicles, bidders complain that top officials are intentionally delaying the process of handing over the vehicles to the successful applicants.
The Land Cruiser, which was previously reserved for the use of the Governor of the Central Province, is among several high-end vehicles offered in a recent official tender.
By S.K. Samaranayake
A 12-member Parliamentary Select Committee has been appointed to review and report on election laws, with the exception of provisions governing Provincial Council polls.
Announcing the move in Parliament yesterday (05), Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said the Committee would undertake a comprehensive examination of the existing electoral legal framework and submit its findings to the House.
The Committee is also mandated to propose recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency and strengthening the integrity of the electoral system.
Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna has been appointed Chairman of the Committee.
The other members are Upali Pannilage, Muneer Mulaffer, Sunil Watagala, Ravi Karunanayake, J. C. Alawathuwala, Harshana Rajakaruna, Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasinghe, Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran and Chandima Hettiarachchi.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), recently arrested a former SLPP member of Hanguranketha Pradeshiya Sabha and his wife for swindling several persons seeking job opportunities in Romania.
Sources said that the SLBFE had received 16 complaints against the suspects. According to the complaints, the couple collected Rs 21.3 mn promising them jobs in the construction sector in Romania. They were arrested while hiding in the Kadugannawa area.
Development Officer bids Rs. 48 mn for CPC’s V8 at auction
Star Garments, Maliban Biscuits, Stafford Motors and Brandix Apparel qualify for semi-finals
A Small, Joyful Bakery Sees Red
SriLankan Airlines leads with two category wins in South Asia at PAX Awards
ComBank named ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’
PSC appointed to report on election laws, barring those governing PC polls
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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